27 Valentine’s Day Gifts That Prove The Special Day Isn’t Just For Grownups

On February 14th, the world celebrates Valentine's Day. Typically, it’s viewed as a day to commemorate romance and love. It is possible that such a connotation and name for this occasion originated from a Roman priest named Valentine. 

Emperor Claudius II of Rome, who reigned from the year 268 A.D. to 270 A.D., banned marriage because in his opinion unmarried men were better soldiers. The mentioned priest thought that such a law was unfair, so he decided to break the rules and perform marriages anyway. 

Yet, despite throwing quiet ceremonies, Valentine still ended up being caught and his life was ended on February 14, in the year 270 A.D., for defying the emperor. Because of this, Pope Gelasius I later declared this day St. Valentine’s Day.

Throughout the years, the ways the day is celebrated have evolved. For instance, in the Middle Ages, it was quite a festive event. Parties were thrown where love lanterns were made out of hollowed-out turnips. Young people would draw names from a bowl to see who their valentine would be, wear those names on their sleeves for a week, and so on. It was a big deal for communities. 

Nowadays, the celebration of the event typically includes exchanging small gifts like themed chocolates, flowers, and cards, and making romantic gestures, like candlelit dinners, spa days, or anything else. Basically, it’s more personal than communal now. Each person or each couple decides how they want to commemorate it by themselves rather than big parties being thrown like in the Middle Ages. 

In fact, some people fully reject the idea of celebrating this day at all, for many reasons – from hating how it brings up our consumerism to the fact that it makes them lonely, especially if they don’t have a romantic partner. But today we’re not here to talk about these party poopers. 

Instead, let’s focus on how Valentine’s Day can be something more than just a romantic celebration. It can simply be turned into a day to appreciate people around you – showing them attention with little gifts, spending time with them, or anything of that kind. 

For example, in some schools there are traditions for kids to send out valentines – cards of appreciation to their classmates – but the platonic tradition doesn’t stop there. Some families and/or friends are creating (or maintaining) traditions of giving each other gifts, showing how much they cherish each other. 

Yet, sometimes it’s hard to figure out what to gift – even to the person you're closest to in your life. Luckily, Bored Panda is here to help you – for instance, with this idea list. 

The one you’re on right now is also full of present inspiration. Yet, it should be noted that these ones are more focused on what we talked about in this article – celebrating Valentine’s Day as a family occasion rather than a romantic one. That’s why it’s full of ideas about what can be gifted to kids on this holiday. 

From heart-shaped pancakes to heartwarming cards – you’re almost guaranteed to leave the article with an idea of how to make a child happy on Valentine’s Day. And if life isn’t about making each other happy, then what is it about, right?

Do you have any ideas that weren’t mentioned in the list? Make sure to write about them in the comments!